When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son. The more I called them, the more they went from me; they kept sacrificing to the Baals, and offering incense to idols. Yet it was I who taught Ephraim to walk, I took them up in my arms; but they did not know that I healed them. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. (Hosea 11: 1-4)

I was with my father this weekend. He said something that I have often thought. His attention to detail may be his greatest strength... and his greatest weakness.

In most ways I rejected his strength. I look for the big concept and tend to dismiss finer details. This was one way that I claimed my own identity.

The ability to conceive and act on the big concept - without any certainty regarding the details - is probably my greatest strength... and my greatest weakness.

We each have a heavenly father who seems to be characterized by two great strengths: love and creativity. We often seem inclined to reject this inheritance.

In the case of either our earthly or heavenly fathers such rebellion may be reflexive. But it seldom survives careful reflection.

We do not find ourselves simply through differentiation with another. We find ourselves by engaging the world and discovering what is effective and fulfilling.

Should kindness and love prompt rejection? Does becoming an individual mean rejecting relationships? Our choices are not binary. Creativity and love can walk together.